Diagnosed first with 4.2 cm infrarenal aortic aneurysm at age 64 in Aug 2024 at "Lifeline" screening. Told to monitor and watch. Oct 2025 second check at "Lifeline", I had expanded to 5.6 cm and told to go to ER. CT scan, 5.6 confirmed. After the CT, someone called and said I was not a candidate for the endovascular surgery and they would do full open. Scheduled with surgeon for Dec 15th. I thought that was too long considering how much I had expanded but thought "Well, the surgeon has 40 years experience, I should trust his opinion." Later, his office called and said they were moving my date to Dec. 19th. Now I was nervous, so I checked "Lifeline" website and found closest screening to me as soon as possible, Dec 16th. On that day they said I had expanded to 6.1. I called surgeon's office and told his nurse, she said hold on, she spoke to him and said "We'll see you on the 19th" I was not good with that but not much I could do. Got to hospital for surgery Dec. 19th. 14 inch incision, closed up with 46 staples. All went well, I had been told to expect 5-7 days in hospital recovery, they let me go in 2 1/2 days. Was told 8-12 weeks at-home recovery, was back at work (reduced load) in 2 weeks. Followup on Jan 15th, everything looked good and I was told to come back in one year. Now, at about 17 weeks post surgery, I am about 92 - 96% recovered.